Alberta, NWT Pledge Closer Ties on Transportation, Energy and Natural Resources
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Creating Opportunity February 13, 2009 Alberta, NWT pledge closer ties on transportation, energy and natural resources Yellowknife... Discussions on the present economic situation, its effects, and issues related to transportation, energy and natural resources were on the agenda for Alberta Minister of Finance and Enterprise Iris Evans and Northwest Territories Minister of Finance J. Michael Miltenberger, at a meeting in Yellowknife February 13. The Ministers met in their capacity as Co-Chairs of the Alberta - Northwest Territories Memorandum of Understanding for Co-operation and Development. They were joined by Northwest Territories Premier Floyd Roland, Northwest Territories Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Bob McLeod and Alberta MLA Robin Campbell, chair of the Northern Alberta Development Council. “The goal of our discussions was to identify areas where we benefit from working together with our close neighbours and friends in Alberta,” Miltenberger said. The Co-Chairs received a Memorandum of Understanding being developed to facilitate the co-operation of their two governments in the protection and recovery of shared populations of boreal woodland Caribou. The Co-Chairs also discussed mutual transportation issues with a view to improving trade flows between the two jurisdictions, and were pleased to confirm that their governments are developing an agreement to further co-operate in the management and suppression of wildfires along the Northwest Territories/Alberta border. “This ongoing co-operation between our jurisdictions builds a solid foundation to move forward on issues that are important to the residents of the Northwest Territories and Alberta” said Miltenberger. “Considering our similar geology and geography, and the natural resource development capabilities in Alberta and the Northwest Territories, it makes sense that we work together to take action and develop the North in a way that is mutually beneficial,” Evans said. -30- Attachments: Backgrounder attached Media inquiries may be directed to: Nick Kaczmarek Dane Mason Alberta Finance and Enterprise Cabinet Communications (Northwest 780-427-5364 Territories) To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. 867-669-2302 February 13, 2009 Meeting of the Alberta-NWT MOU Co-Chairs The Alberta-Northwest Territories Memorandum of Cooperation and Development (MOU) was first signed in October 1998 by then-Premiers Ralph Klein and Don Morin and re-signed in October 2003 by then-Premiers Ralph Klein and Stephen Kakfwi. On September 12, 2008, Alberta Premier Ed Stelmach and Northwest Territories Premier Floyd Roland met in Calgary to renew the Memorandum for a further five years. The MOU represents a “good neighbours” agreement to facilitate development where cooperative efforts will result in benefits to both jurisdictions. The MOU is broad in scope and encompasses a wide range of areas in which departments may wish to pursue cooperation. The MOU specifically encourages cooperation in: trade; transportation; tourism; regional and community economic development; resource development; health; education training and skill development; and research and innovation. The governments of Alberta and NWT are represented at meetings by members of Cabinet who are appointed as “Co-Chairs.” At present, Finance and Enterprise Minister Iris Evans represents Alberta as Co-Chair, and the Northwest Territories is represented by Minister J. Michael Miltenberger. In consultation with their respective governments, the Co-Chairs set the agenda and determine what work will be undertaken between the two jurisdictions. It is through these meetings that the NWT and Alberta have advanced bilateral interests in a number of areas. The NWT and Alberta have benefitted from this intergovernmental relationship through a number of sectoral sub-agreements that exist or are being developed under the MOU. Such sub-agreements will guide current and future cooperation in the areas of trade, forest fire management, woodland caribou management and water management. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Nick Kaczmarek Dane Mason Alberta Finance and Enterprise Cabinet Communications (Northwest 780-427-5364 Territories) To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. 867-669-2302 Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Finance and Enterprise Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page | Send us your comments or questions Copyright(©) 2009 Government of Alberta .